Check it out – it’s another shot of Heavy Lights at Super Happy Fun Land over the weekend! Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
It’s day three of our live SXSW coverage from the great Cassandra Mullinix. For those who have missed it, here are parts one and two. The following is her entry for Tuesday, March 17!
Pass go and collect your free breakfast and Monster energy drink. It’s day two at SXSW and it’s time to get into the rhythm of things. I start the day off at one of my favorite venues, The Spider House, which is near UT. I’m not too familiar with the bands listed, but it’s a good spot to take a chance. The day is rewarding and the highlight of the afternoon is Peelander Z, a wild Japanese punk band that dresses up like dejected and dirty Power Rangers.
As the day wears on – and I try to get into a showcase with Future Islands and Portugal The Man down on the infamous Rainey Street – I’m reminded of another bizarre scene at Spider House. During one of the early sets, some performers who were dressed in body suites had a midget-sized Santa statue, and a couple children who happened to be at the all-ages showcase were beating up the Santa.
Without wrist bands or any sort of priority at SXSW, some things are just impossible. SXSW is a lot like Santa, sometimes it giveth, but not very often and not always what you want the most. After being extremely close to getting into the show – but still not getting in – I understood the pain of those kids beating up ol’ Santa Clause.
Bad moods quickly dissipate when I’m reminded there’s a ton of other bands and friends I can go see and that’s what I’m really here for, anyway. My friends in the Austin-based band Tinnarose are playing their official Nine Mile Records Showcase and I’m able to breeze into Cheer Up Charlie’s (how appropriate) to catch a great surprise St. Pat’s show by Population Unknown. However, the lesson of the day is clear that I’m not actually one of the privileged few.